Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever Hebrews, 13, 18

CHRISTMAS SEASON CONTINUES

The Church celebrates the octave of the Nativity and the Solemnity of the Mother of God on the first day of the year

May the New Year cause all men to remember that the precious gift of time which God has given us

Although New Year's Day is not celebrated by the Church, this day has been observed as a holy day of obligation since early times due to the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

In England it was a day set aside for godparents; and godcakes are still given to children on this day in many places. It should be easy to keep New Year's day as a feast on which we honor godparents and repay them for the responsibility they have assumed toward our children

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon you,

and be gracious to you! T

he LORD look upon you kindly

and give you peace!

Numbers 6

HAPPY SUNDAY !

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After church today, I’ll be making dinner. It’s a tradition in our family to have pork roast and sauerkraut for good luck in the New Year. DD and her hubby will be the only ones here , so it will be a quiet celebration compared to some.

Please remember to keep our troops in your prayers!

Pray that people everywhere turn to God not only in time of need, but also on a daily basis

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...BAD HANGOVER DAY, but only for some !

If you did too much partying last night (Hopefully you didn’t), maybe this will help.

An 8 year old girl goes to her dad who is working in the yard and asks, "Daddy, what's sex"? The father is surprised that she would ask such a question, but decides that if she is old enough to ask the question, then she is old enough to get a straight answer.

He tells her about the birds and the bees; the egg and the sperm; and the male and female. When he has finished explaining, the little girl is looking at him with her mouth opened, so the father asks her, "why did you ask this question"?

The little girl explains that "Mom told me to tell you that dinner would be ready in just a couple of secs".

One more for today…

Christmas was over. Santa and his reindeer finally had a chance to rest. And they deserved it. They had done a good job! Rudolph had a chance to do something he had wanted to do for a long time. He made an appointment with a plastic surgeon because he was so sensitive about his looks.

However, it wasn't his glowing proboscis that he wanted changed. He was proud of his red nose and the help he had given Santa because of it. Actually, he was sensitive about his long ears which were much more prominent than the ears of the average reindeer, or bear, for that matter.

So one week after Christmas, he let the good doctor do the reconstructive surgical procedure, and since that time, January 1st has been celebrated as ... New Ears Day

TODAY'S WORD

mit·i·gate verb 1.

To moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate. Synonyms relieve. To become milder.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

A generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand

Isaiah 32:8

We enter a new year with hopes, desires, and resolutions that can be the seeds of positive change. But the key to what actually happens in our lives is in making definite plans. That involves thought, purpose, and effort.

This is a great time to make noble plans that honor God with our vision and generosity.

God's plans include you. Do your plans include God?

From Our Daily Bread 2004

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

A snow year, a rich year Rosemary for Remembrance Acording to one legend, the herb rosemary, or "flower of the sea," once had no fragrance or flower. After Jesus' birth, Mary used the bush as a place to dry the baby garments she had washed in a stream. In remembrance of the baby Jesus, Mary blessed the rosemary bush, giving it a spicy fragrance and blue flowers that matched her cloak.

In teas, it is often used to quiet the nerves. Since Greek times, students have used it to improve or restore memory. Bathing in it was believed to restore youth, while Shakespeare regarded it as an emblem of love

78 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart Psalm 37:4

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.

John 1

The last day of this year. It’s a time to look back and see what we’ve done and accomplished. This year is over. Anything we need to get done has to be done now. But tomorrow, we start fresh, As we put the past day, the past year, behind us, we should keep in mind the new day, the new year to come and make the most of each new beginning.

May the Lord grant you the desires of your heart and give you Joy. May the Lord Bless your heart and give you comfort

HAPPY SATURDAY !

AND HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

Time to get rid of the old (Christmas decorations) and welcome the new (clean house) That’s what my 3 day weekend will consist of…no other big plans. Tonite we’ll probably visit my parents as usual for a Saturday evening and then Church on Sunday!

It seems strange having another extra day off so soon ! I’ll be enjoying it though, I’m not complaining. It’ll be a long stretch before another holiday or vacation day !

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S LINK

I thought this link to Cedar Point Amusement Park might be fun- It’s a web cam and you can watch as the season changes…

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never wake up. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound an alarm to alert you, giving you precious time to escape.

CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM!

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is New Year's Eve, the final day of 2005

Today is National Check the Smoke Alarms Day

Tonight is First Night, a non-alcoholic alternative New Year's Eve celebration of the arts, planned tonight in over 140 U.S. and Canadian cities. The first First Night in 1976 was in Boston

1852: Richest year of the gold rush ends, with $81.3 million in gold produced

1862 President Lincoln signs act admitting West Virginia to the Union

1907 For the 1st time a ball drops at Times Square to signal the new year

1929: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians played their theme song, "Auld Lang Syne," to usher in the new year at New York City's Hotel Roosevelt Grill, the beginning of a tradition. It means "old long since" or days gone by

1946 President Truman officially proclaims end of WWII

1984: The nation's first mandatory seat belt law went into effect in New York state at midnight

1990: The Sci-Fi Channel on cable TV begins transmitting

TODAY'S SMILE

A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like

"We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."

The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this in. At last she said,

I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!

TODAY'S WORD

evergreen • \EV-er-green\ adj

1 : having foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season

2 : retaining freshness or interest : perennial

TODAY'S REFLECTION

For the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts

I Chronicles 28:9

Knowing that God loves us just as we are, we want to live in a way that pleases him. There will always be someone who has a rude way of stirring up trouble.

You have a choice! You can become part of the problem or you can be a balm that soothes the spirits.

Be not disheartened by troubles,

For trials are the building blocks

On which to erect a fortress of faith

Secure on God's ageless rocks

Helen Steiner Rice

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Don't forget to fill the bird feeder when winter storms are forecast

82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Let us move into the New Year with a great sense of the thrill of living

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

TODAY'S ACTION

Pay attention to your dreams

TODAY'S QUOTE

God can take your trouble and change it into treasure

Barbara Johnson

CHRISTMAS SEASON

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Today is the feast day of the Holy Family, but also every family's feast day, since the Holy Family is the patron and model of all Christian families

Every son or daughter can read the first reading and let it be a life long guide.

Sir 2:3-14

God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons

The second reading is a wonderful guide for family life.

Col 3 :12-21

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love

We could all do well to prepare our New Year's resolution desires from here.

May God bless all our families with fidelity and courage in loving as we have been loved

HAPPY FINALLY FRIDAY !

A very quiet week ! Most people must be on vacation. The phone hardly rang at work and I got all my work done with no interruptions! Today promises to be just as quiet.

Another long weekend coming up! Down with the old and up with the new this weekend. All except the nativity set which stays until Epiphany is over.

I’ve been trying to think of ways to brighten up my house for the dark dreary days of January , February and March. A fresh white table cloth on the dining room table for starters, then maybe some cheerful flowers. We’ll see what I can come up with.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way!

TODAY IS...BICARBONATE SODA DAY

Bicarbonate soda (baking soda) is a naturally occurring substance that is present in all living things. Besides being use in baking, it is good for cleaning, deodorizing, and even indigestion. Mother Nature knew what she was doing with this one!

Today is Falling Needles Family Fest Day, a time to gather around the Christmas tree and watch the needles fall. Live it up! Dance barefoot!

1951: "The Roy Rogers Show" debuted on NBC-TV, starring Roy, Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Trigger, Buttermilk, Bullet, and Nellybelle. Nellybelle was a jeep. Dale wrote the theme "Happy Trails to You." The show lasted six years.

1995: Procter & Gamble announced it would resume Mr. Whipple’s lifetime supply of free Charmin bathroom tissue immediately. Actor Dick Wilson, who had urged shoppers for 25 years not to squeeze the Charmin, had suddenly stopped receiving monthly shipments to his home in Nevada. A company spokesman said it was a goof-up, not intentional

1980: The longest-running series in prime time television history was canceled by NBC. "The Wonderful World of Disney" was canceled after more than 25 years on TV

TODAY'S SMILE

I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me, and she was always correct, but it was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying sagely: Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!

From the News…

Thirty naked Germans jumped into a Berlin lake for good health on Christmas Day. Let's hope they have good health, since obviously their mental health is already shot.

Can't you see Jesus looking down at these guys? "Hey, Dad, 30 German guys are celebrating my birthday by running around naked in a Santa Claus hat."

And God says, "Tell 'em to go jump in the lake!

TODAY'S WORD

kilter noun

Good working order, Good condition;

proper form: policy ‘adjustments’ designed to bring the . . . country's economy back into kilter with the Western economic system

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray

Matthew 14:22-23

Wherever Jesus went, he was surrounded by crowds of people who were either curious or were hoping that Jesus would heal them from an illness or a handicap. Although Jesus loved them, and wanted to help them, he always kept in close touch with the Father. Jesus always took time to be alone and pray

To protect our mental and spiritual health it is important to get away, even for a short time, from the hustle and bustle.

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

A whispering grove tells of a storm to come

80 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart Psalm 37:4

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Every day, remind yourself of your own ability, of your good mind, and affirm that you can make something really good out of your life

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

TODAY'S ACTION

Have the courage to climb back in and finish what you start

TODAY'S QUOTE

People with time for others are happy all around the clock

Barbara Johnson

CHRISTMAS SEASON

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed

Luke 2: 22-35

Today we can contemplate Mary and Joseph hearing Simeon's prophesy, including the part where Simeon addresses Mary.

I do love a short work week. After today only one more day to go! The weather here was very Spring-like yesterday. We had 50 degrees with rain and sun alternately. Ohio Winters are soooo changeable. I have a sweat shirt that says

‘Ohio Winters are for the birds’,

but I don’t think the birds like it here either.

Take good care all !

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...PEPPER POT DAY

Now, doesn't everybody have a favorite recipe for comfort food on a cold winter day?

Celebrate Pepper Pot Day by cooking up some old fashioned, stick-to-your-bones, homemade soup!

1 pound honeycomb tripe

5 slices bacon, diced

1/2 cup peeled, chopped yellow onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

3 leeks cleaned and chopped

1 bunch parsley, chopped

2 green sweet bell peppers, seeded and chopped

2 quarts beef stock, canned or homemade

1 tsp whole thyme leaves, or more to taste

1/2 tsp marjoram

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 bay leaf

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 large potato, peeled and diced

4 Tbs each butter and flour, cooked together to form a roux

Place the tripe in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Allow the tripe to cool in the water and then drain and rinse. Cut into 1/4 inch diced pieces In a large heavy kettle, saute the bacon. Add the onion, celery, leeks, parsley, and green peppers - saute until tender. Add the remaining ingredients except the potato, flour, and butter. Bring the kettle to a boil and turn down to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the tripe is very tender, about 2 hours. Add the diced potato and cook about 20 minutes. Preparethe roux by stirring the flour into the melted butter and cooking for a moment on the stove. When the soup is done, stir in the roux and simmer, stirring constantly, until the soup slightly thickens

(I’ve not had this before, but as interesting as it sounds, I think I’d skip the tripe and add some beef)

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is YMCA Day. The first U.S. branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Boston on December 29, 1851

1848: Gas lights were installed at the White House for the first time

1862 Bowling ball invented

1955: Thirteen-year-old Barbara Joan Streisand recorded "You’ll Never Know" in Brooklyn. She would be appearing on Broadway and misspelling her name within five years

TODAY'S SMILE

Q: Which Christmas carol do parents like best?

A: Silent Night!

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.

TODAY'S WORD

Queue Pronunciation: /kyoo/

n : a line of people, waiting for something

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up 12 basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over

Matthew 14:19-20

Today's scripture tells of Jesus' feeding over 5,000 people. They also had leftovers and you will note that they did not waste them, but collected them

As individuals, we are being good stewards of the blessings we have, when we make an effort to recycle newspapers, phone books, bottles and other recyclables. This takes time and effort, but we are helping to make this a better world

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

Matthew 2: 13-18

There are many messages in this day. Exile and liberation are part of the story. Greed and lust for power are also part of the story as the innocent suffer and die as the result of injustice. This very difficult scene is important for us to reflect upon as we imagine the unborn and the newly born who are so unjustly deprived of dignity and life today.

The feast of the Holy Innocents is an excellent time for parents to inaugurate the custom of blessing their children Parents can simply sign a cross on the child's forehead and say: May God bless you,and may He be the Guardian of your heart and mind—the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

When you are down and blue, often just helping someone who has a more difficult circumstances will make your life seem some much more wonderful than you realized.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY ! BACK TO WORK

AND OVER THE HUMP ALL IN ONE DAY !

I like this kind of week ! Ideally a 3 day work week would do for me all the time. But, that’s only a dream. Today I’ll just rejoice that there are only 2 more days of work left before the weekend and it’s a 3 day one at that ! We get an extra day off as New Years is on Sunday !

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...EAT CHOCOLATE DAY

Chocolate comes from cacao trees that grow in the rain forests. The fruit on the trees is mild tasting, with a bittersweet chocolate flavor. Inside the pulp are dark, purple-colored seeds that are the "chocolate beans." These beans were one more thing Christopher Columbus discovered in the new world. When he took them back to Spain, the chocolate was used as a drink with hot pepper spices

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is Holy Innocents Day, commemorating the massacre of children in Bethlehem ordered by King Herod in an attempt to kill the child Jesus

Today is National Chocolate Day

1869: William F. Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio, patented chewing gum

1945: Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States

TODAY'S SMILE

The 92 year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably, coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even thought she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.

As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room... just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.

Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it... "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away... just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account...you withdraw from what you've put in....

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

Author unknown

TODAY'S WORD

welkin • \WEL-kun\

1a : the vault of the sky : firmament b : the celestial abode of God or the gods : heaven 2 : the upper atmosphere

This heavenly word has been used in English to refer to the vault of the sky since at least the 12th century, and it derives from an earlier word from Old English that meant cloud.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me.

Matthew 19:14

Annoyed by crowded church services during the Christmas season? Grumbling after being shunted to an overflow room when the sanctuary had filled long before the service began. Why don't these people who come once a year just stay home? Are we mirroring and an attitude like the disciples, who scolded those who brought children to Jesus for His blessing?

Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Realize that it's a good thing whenever a person is drawn to a gathering that celebrates Jesus' birth. Whether it's a children's program, a candlelight service, or a concert by the choir, we never know when someone will encounter Christ the Lord

So if a Christian is touched only once a year, the touching is still worth it, and maybe on some given Christmas, some quiet morning, the touchwill take

journalist Harry Reasoner

Excerpts taken from Our Daily Bread

Christmas seems to bring out the child in all of us. And every child is welcomed by Jesus

David McCasland

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Thunder during Christmas week indicates that there will be much snow during winter

82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Monday, December 26, 2005

Christmas is a golden chain that binds a family in faith, hope, and love... drawing each to open the hearth of togetherness

Juanita Johnson

TODAY'S ACTION

Reflect and enjoy this wonderful time of year.

TODAY'S QUOTE

I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas.

We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent.

For this is still the time God chooses.

Taylor Caldwell

SEASON OF CHRISTMAS

FEAST OF JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete

I John: 1-4

John was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. John, together with his brother James and with Simon Peter, formed an inner circle among the Twelve. John is credited with the authorship of three epistles and one gospel. He founded many churches in Asia Minor. He lived to an extreme old age, surviving all his fellow apostles, and died at Ephesus about the year 100.

Comfort can come to you from the Lord in many ways. You can have a song in your heart and a smile right along with it. Even words can comfort.

Reread your Christmas cards today if you are feeling lonely and "Blue". Sometimes after an exciting celebration that was full of anticipation, it can leave us feeling alone and lonely. We can't explain it really but we feel sort of empty and incomplete.

Lets try to look forward to each new day with the anticipation and eagerness we have for the Christmas Season.

Celebrate today, prepare and plan for tomorrow

HAPPY TUESDAY !

Last day of my vacation today ! I’ll need to get everything ready, pack my lunch etc. this evening. But it’s only for 3 days and then another 3 day weekend. WOW

On Monday morning we had a little more snow on the ground, today it’s suppose to warm up to 40 degrees so it will probably all melt again.

I had a great day with DD yesterday, we ate lunch at Friendly’s and then headed to the mall. I had to exchange the gift that DD gave me as it was too small and got a new watch band and my Mary Engelbreit Calendar for 2006. I love her artwork.

I also got a new January purse! I got this fun idea from one of my ‘online’ friends, she got one with poodles on it ! Soooo DD and I are going shopping once a month to get a ‘fun’ purse! My new one is gold with lots of shinny sparkles on it for the NEW YEAR. It didn’t cost much as it was on sale and it looks kinda gaudy, but it brightens the day for sure ! When January comes I’ll have to take a picture for you all to see !

Today is an at home day and I’ll be lovin it!

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...FRUITCAKE FOREVER DAY

If you've still got fruitcake sitting around your house, you didn't make this Super Easy Fruitcake recipe. It won't stay around long enough to start any jokes

1 pound candied cherries, halved

5 candied pineapple slices

6 cups golden raisins

1 1/2 cups candied mixed fruit peel

1 cup pecans

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

6 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup orange juice

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 pecans

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line the bottom and sides of two greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans with brown paper. Grease the paper. In a large bowl, stir together cherries, pineapple, raisins, mixed peel, 1 cup pecans, and 1 cup flour. Mix until the fruit is coated with flour. In another large bowl, cream the butter or margarine and sugar together. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in orange juice and vanilla. Combine 5 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Stir in floured fruit and nuts. Mix. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Fill each pan 3/4 full. Arrange pecans over tops. Bake for about 3 hours, until toothpick comes out clean. Cover with foil if top gets too dark while baking.

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is Watch the Children Day, and learn again how to enjoy life

Today is National Fruitcake Day

1903: The barbershop quartet favorite, "Sweet Adeline", was sung for the first time -- in New York City. The song was composed by Henry Armstrong with the words of Richard Gerard. The title of the song came from a theatre marquee that promoted the great operatic soprano, Adelina Patti

1932: Radio City Music Hall opened in New York. It was the largest indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a six-hour extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three weeks

1939: "The Glenn Miller Show," also called "Music that Satisfies," debuted on CBS Radio

1947: The children's television program "Howdy Doody," hosted by Bob Smith, made its debut on NBC. It showed under the title "Puppet Playhouse." It was aired for 13 years

1951: A Crosley automobile, with a steering wheel on the right side, became the first such vehicle placed in service for mail delivery. It was used in Cincinnati, Ohio

TODAY'S SMILE

The night before her wedding, Wendy talked with her mother. Mom, she said, I want you to teach me how to make my new husband happy.

The mother took a deep breath and began, When two people love, honor, and respect each other, love can be a very beautiful thing...

I know all about that, mother, Wendy interrupted. I want you to teach me how to make decent lasagna....

TODAY'S WORD

po·sa·da noun

A Christmas festival originating in Latin America that dramatizes the search of Joseph and Mary for lodging.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

I John 4:10-12

John’s beautiful summation shows us again that Christmas is all about love!

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

If you count eight seeds in your apple, it denotes true love.

83 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart Psalm 37:4

The Octave of Christmas— Because of the importance of Christmas, the Church extends the celebration of this solemnity to cover a period of eight days. This period is known as an octave, which comes from the Latin octavus, which means "eighth." Therefore, Christmas Day and the seven days that follow are part of the Octave of Christmas. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord and ends the season of Christmas

The Feast of St. Stephen

Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. When the apostles found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor, they ordained seven deacons, which included Stephen. God worked miracles through Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus.

Stephen was the first martyr to the faith. He was charged with violating the Mosaic law and was stoned to death. Stephen died like Jesus, forgiving his enemies and praying for them.

Today sit and ponder. Remember and then hold your memories along with the blessings in your heart and thoughts. Practice smiling

HAPPY MONDAY !

I had such a nice Christmas. I got lots of calls from the babes and had visits from my sisters, my brother in law, one of my nephews, and my good neighbor. So I wasn’t all alone for the most part of the day.

I even had some goodies in my Christmas Stocking. DS#6 snuck those in yesterday when he and his wife were here.

Today my daughter is taking me out for some lunch and a little after Christmas sale shopping. This holiday has been wonderful.

1865: James H. Nason of Franklin, Massachusetts, received a patent for a coffee percolator

1946 Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas opens (start of an era)

1963 Beatles release I Want To Hold Your Hand and I Saw Her Standing There

1966: Dr. Maulana Karenga celebrates the first Kwanzza, a seven day African American celebration of family and heritage

TODAY'S SMILE

All I Need to Know About Life I Learned from a Snowman

It's okay if you're a little bottom heavy.

Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.

Wearing white is always appropriate.

Winter is the best of the four seasons.

It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.

There's nothing better than a foul weather friend.

The key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul.

We're all made up of mostly water.

You know you've made it when they write a song about you.

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!

Don't get too much sun.

It's embarrassing when you can't look down and see your feet.

It's fun to hang out in your front yard.

Always put your best foot forward.

There's no stopping you once you're on a roll

TODAY'S WORD

lu·mi·nar·i·a noun

1. Southwestern U.S. A votive candle set into a small, decorative paper bag weighted with sand and placed in a row with others along a walkway, driveway, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. Also called Regional: farolito.

2. New Mexico. A bonfire built in front of each house in a pueblo to celebrate Christmas

TODAY'S REFLECTION

And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1st Corinthians 13:13

Love is putting faith and hope into action. When we worship with all accepting love, and live out that love, we are pleasing God

Faith without love is cold,

and hope without love is grim.

Love is the fire which kindles faith

and it is the light which turns hope into certainty

Barclay

Today’s devotion from Daily Guideposts

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

One today is worth two tomorrows

December 26 - First day of Chanukah. This eight-day Jewish festival began at sundown yesterday. The festival commemorates events that took place in Judea more than 2,000 years ago, when the Syrian king Antiochus ordered the Jews to abandon the Torah and publicly worship the Greek gods. This act provoked a rebellion led by Judas Maccabeus, climaxed by the retaking of the Temple in Jerusalem,

December 26 - Boxing Day. This holiday derives from the Old English custom of giving Christmas "boxes" to tradesmen, postmen, and servants. The original boxes were usually made of earthenware and contained money, which could be retrieved only by breaking the boxes open. These days, a gift of money is usually contained in a greeting card and given before the holiday

December 26 - Kwanza. For seven days beginning on December 26 and lasting through January 1, African Americans celebrate Kwanza, a relatively new holiday introduced in 1966 and named for the time of year whenAfrican tribes traditionally celebrated the first harvest of their crops

The Word became Flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: The glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love.

John 1:14

The most obvious symbol of Christmas are lights – Christmas candles, window lights, luminaries, lights on the Advent Wreath and Christmas tree. All signifying that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world

The Christmas candle is an ancient tradition. It is usually placed in the center of the Advent Wreath to complete the removal of darkness and sin by the Coming of Christ

One of my internet friends said: We light the candle in the window to let our light shine so everyone will know we are Gods children and we honor and observe him.

What a wonderful thought!

Remember that JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON and why we CELEBRATE

HAPPY SUNDAY !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL !

I’m off to church this morning to celebrate this holy day ! I think my DD and her hubby will be there too. We used to fill a pew when the family would go to church and now I’m sure it would be two! I'll be missing those not here today !

Changes are sometimes so hard to take, but Christmas Day never changes. It’s still the brightest day of the year. Resounding with good wishes and hope!

Christmas is celebrated all over the world as both the most religious and most commercial holiday of the year. Wherever you are and whatever you're doing today, I wish you A HAPPY MERRY CHRISTMAS DAY !

TODAY'S CHRISTMASTRIVIA

Today is Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is a holiday in at least 105 nations.

336: This is the earliest known year that Jesus' nativity was celebrated on December 25th, as mentioned in the Philocalian Calendar of A.D.

354. Jesus' birth was commemorated on January 6th in Greek Orthodoxy, although by the 400s most of the Eastern churches had accepted the Roman date

1223: St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first Nativity scenes, in Greccio, Italy

1510 A decorated Christmas tree recorded at Riga, Latvia.

1610 Tinsel invented in Germany.

1660 Record of a tree lit with candles in Germany.

1800 Tree ornaments being manufactured in Europe

1819 Popular sketch by Krimmel released depicting an American family with a Christmas tree on the table.

1822 German merchants living in England have decorated trees in their homes.

1822 Clement Moore, an American, writes A Visit From Saint Nicholas for his family(now known as Twas the Night Before Christmas)-published in 1848

1833 Red poinsettias sold in Philadelphia.

1841 Christmas crackers being manufactured in England.

1843 Charles Dickens writes A Christmas Carol.

1846 Illustration London News publishes a picture of the Royal Family gathered around a Christmas tree. The picture helps popularize the table top Christmas tree

1880 German glass ornaments sold in Woolworth's.

1882 First electric Christmas tree lights sold in New York.

1892 Wire hook for hanging tree ornaments is patented in the United States.

1896 The T. Eaton Company produces its first Christmas catalogue.

1905 Santa Claus arrives by wagon at the T. Eaton Company store in Toronto.

1939 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer created by Robert May for an American department store as a Christmas promotion.

TODAY'S SMILE

The Four Stages Of Life

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus.

4) You look like Santa Claus

TODAY'S WORD

car·ol noun

1. Music. A song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas.

2. An old round dance often accompanied by singing. car·ol·ing --intr. 1. To sing in a loud, joyous manner. 2. To go from house to house singing Christmas songs. --tr. 1. To celebrate in or as if in song: caroling the victory. 2. To sing loudly and joyously

TODAY'S REFLECTION

To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord

Luke 2:11

Christ doesn't need a gift or a present from us. Jesus does want our presence. Jesus does want us to share. Jesus does want us to bring God's love to our family, friends, and neighbors. Jesus wants us to make a difference for God.

Some flowers grow best in the sun; others do well in the shade. God plants us where we grow best

God's Little Promise Book

ADVENT

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for He has visited and brought redemption to His people

Luke 1:68

As soon as Jesus was born, visitors began to come. First it was the shepherds. Then the wise men. Then Simeon and Anna. Then even the soldiers of Herod were sent to find Him. Together these visitors represent the people of every nation, coming by every possible path and conveyance to see Christ

This is Christmas Eve. Make sure you read the REAL story of CHRISTMAS. If you are alone read the Luke passage out loud. If you have family, take turns reading the verses and have every one take part.

After you finish reading the passage have a time of prayer. Remember to be thankful and have hearts of gratitude for all the Lord has done. It is not too early to ask the Lord to direct you in the New Year ahead. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

HAPPY SATURDAY !!

I hope you all are ready for Christmas ! I certainly am. My house is glowing with the lights of Christmas and the critters are all snug in their beds. All is very quiet here - peaceful is the word. I'm enjoying vacation days and getting a little bit done here and there.

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...FAMILY CAREGIVERS DAY

Sharing The Caring

We acknowledge with deep appreciation the family caregivers who give their love and support in the care of others.

1818 "Silent Night" composed by Franz Joseph Gruber; sung for 1st time the next day

1860 Joseph Jefferson's "Rip Van Winkle" premieres in New York NY

1955: The lovely Lennon Sisters debuted as featured vocalists on "The Lawrence Welk Show" on ABC. They became regulars with Welk within a month and stayed on the show until 1968

1970 Walt Disney's "The Aristocats" is released 1

997 1st time a Channukah candle is officially lit in Vatican City

TODAY'S SMILE

TOP TEN REASONS SANTA EXISTS

10 ALL THOSE PRESENTS COME FROM SOMEWHERE

9 HE’S AT EVERY MALL

8 NO ONE ELSE WOULD LIVE AT THE NORTH POLE

7 NORAD TRACKS HIM EVERY YEAR

6 SOMEBODY FINISHES OFF THE COOKIES AND MILK

5 Mrs. Clause is married to somebody

4 The elves have a boss

3 Somebody has to feed Rudolph

2 Why else would we try to be good all year long

And the # 1 Reason that Santa exists:

MOM WOULD NEVER LIE

TODAY'S WORD

hyperborean \hye-per-BOR-ee-un\

adjective 1 : of or relating to an extreme northern region : frozen

2 : of or relating to any of the arctic peoples

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away

I Corinthians 13:8

Today's scripture reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. God loved us and sent his Son to show us the way to live and to bring us eternal life. Everything around us may cease or vanish away, but God's love will never fail us, if we trust and obey

Life may be unfair, but you need not allow it to conquer your spirit. Go to God in prayer, faith and determination. He will guide you through any storm

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

To defeat sleepless nights, try as hard as possible to stay awake; you'll soon be asleep